Comment by Richard Batey on June 13, 2012 at 11:08pm

Thanks for posting your work Mike,and the information on the process.The attention to detail is superb.I am always amazed at the level of realism you are able to achieve.

Comment by Christian Maucieri on June 14, 2012 at 6:11am

Mike, when doing rocks like this what brand or type of color do you preffer? what do you suggest for coloring or processes that will prevent fading over time?

Comment by Mike Vernelson on June 14, 2012 at 9:31am

I use Valspar Exterior housepaint and a flat sealer. As the years pass the paint fades but the natural weathering has already begun to give it an even better look. A freshly painted rock doesnt look as good to me as one thats 5 or 10 years old. Were not trying to keep them shiny new looking like a driveway so to me they get better with age. The stains have their place too for certain applications. I use the stains from Smith Paints. Paints and stains both have their pros and cons for getting certain effects and one doesnt last longer than the other. I like a combination of both. 

Comment by Bruce Rogers on June 15, 2012 at 6:58am

Hey Mike,

been an avid admirer of yours for a few years now, back to the days of taxidermy.

Thanks for the information you have shared here.  As usual, the pics of your work show an extraordinary skill in drawing together, and manipulating  cementitious materials into finished works that are indistinguishable from the real thing.   Really.

Looking forward to seeing what your presence on this site develops into.

Stone

 

Comment by Christian Maucieri on June 15, 2012 at 8:12am

Hi Mike, do you have any colors that you like in particular for certain rocks?

Comment by Mike Vernelson on June 15, 2012 at 1:37pm

Just depends, I always end up mixing them anyway. Rarely do I use anything straight out of the can. Many times I'm matching native rock or complimenting the colors of an interior design. My favorite colors are whatever I need to match my reference lol. I dont have predetermined paint schedules.

Comment by Landon Welch on July 31, 2012 at 5:22pm

Do u have any more pictures of this

Comment by Mike Vernelson on July 31, 2012 at 7:18pm

Landon that is the spa room, The other pics are on here some added last night with the phsycodelic lighting lol!

Comment by Nelson Lasaosa on November 17, 2012 at 4:30pm

Yes, the pumps shed rocks look awesome. Now Mike, as I read your forthcoming comments on mortar mix for your cave ceiling, I`m surprised not to see you mention perlite as a component that would greatly enhance a light weight mix... is that a cost issue? After lots of searching,I finally found a perlite trader,so I bought three different presentations of the material and I`m ready to test adhesion, light weight,and carving properties of different formulas. Darn it, cannot  overcome that gravitational force on my thick vert carve attempts ! lol

Comment by Mike Vernelson on November 18, 2012 at 4:38am

Nelson, I havnt experimented with peartlite so as long as it doesnt compromise strength or carvability then your good to go.

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